Government’s PIP Changes Will Fail Those Who Need Most Support

Stephen Kinnock MP has condemned for the Government’s changes to Personal Independence Payments (PIP) saying the Government is failing those people who need the most help .In Aberavon 3613 people are on PIP.

The Government have announced plans to cut £3.7bn from the disability benefit and to tighten the eligibility criteria for PIP.

Commenting on the Government’s announcement, Mr Kinnock said:

“PIP helps chronically sick and disabled people fund their living costs and, in particular, the additional financial costs faced by disabled people. I have helped numerous constituents who have wrongly been taken off PIP only to have the benefit reinstated.

“Not one, but two, tribunals have ruled that the Government should expand the reach of PIP. But instead of listening to the court’s criticisms of Personal Independence Payment assessments and correcting these injustices, the Government has instead decided to undermine the legal basis of the rulings.

“The Tories are failing to give support to those who need it most. They must ensure that all assessments are undertaken fairly and by appropriately trained specialist staff. The tribunal decision show how the PIP assessment process is just not fit for purpose.

“This is an unprecedented attempt to subvert an independent tribunal judgement by a Government with contempt for judicial process.

“By shifting the goal posts, the Tory Government will exclude over 164,000 disabled people from PIP support, risking them falling into debt and increasing their isolation.

“This is a step too far, even for this Tory Government. Labour will stand with disabled people, who have already borne the brunt of seven years of austerity, in fighting this injustice.”